'Night Moves' Trailer: Jesse Eisenberg Shows His Scheming Side

Maybe the idea of Jesse Eisenberg as a villainous mastermind isn't such a stretch after all.

In the exclusive new trailer for "Night Moves," the Academy Award nominee (for 2010's "The Social Network") shows that there's a reason he's been tapped to play Lex Luthor in the upcoming "Man of Steel" sequel. In the new drama from director Kelly Reichardt ("Wendy & Lucy," "Meek's Cutoff"), Eisenberg plays Josh, the leader of a trio of militant environmental activists. Together with former Marine Harmon (played by Peter Sarsgaard) and his devoted follower Dena (Dakota Fanning), they plot to demolish a hydroelectric dam and restore balance to nature. But the group becomes divided over how much collateral damage each one of them is willing to inflict.

According to the Reichardt, Eisenberg's acting process involves literally digging in the dirt. Reichardt shot the film on a real organic farm in the Pacific Northwest, and she said, "Jesse came out early and lived and worked on the farm for a while."

Reichardt also commented that there's a reason Eisenberg is so adept at playing brainy, complicated characters. She said, "He’s super analytical and just when you think you have exhausted everything you could ever ponder about these characters and their situation — Jesse gives you more to think about."

As Eisenberg gets ready to play Superman's nemesis, he can also look to his co-star for advice on playing a DC Comics bad guy. Peter Sarsgaard previously played the mad scientist Hector Hammond in the misbegotten "Green Lantern" comic-book adaptation in 2011.

"Night Moves" opens in limited release on May 30.